ELIDH Bell smashed her personal best with a supreme example of even-paced running in the Manchester Marathon.

Just three years on from making her debut over the 26.2-miles challenge, the 27-year-old Chippenham-based runner broke three hours for the first time as she clocked 2hrs 50mins 12secs, which is good enough to put her into the top 10 of the 2018 UK Rankings.

“I knew from my training that I was in good shape and that I had a chance of running my ‘A’ goal, which was 2hrs 50-52mins,” said Bell.

“So on the day, I decided to go for it, and went out at 2hrs 50mins pace and ran it perfectly.

“I felt strong and easy until 16 miles and while inevitably my legs started to feel tired I kept things together and I am so happy with my time.

“I am glad I went for 2hrs 50mins rather than play safe with 2:55. The course is brilliant with lots of long straights and not as windy as London so it was easy to get into a rhythm.

“There was also a lot of support on the streets and it is definitely a race I would do again in the future. It was a very good day for me.”

Bell’s previous best was 3hrs 03mins 09secs, so since making her debut with 3hrs 26mins in the 2015 London event, she has made remarkable progress.

“It is crazy really when I think how I have improved,” said Bell.

“I don’t do crazy miles and have been careful in how I have stepped up my training.

“I also have a good team and have been working with strength and conditioning coach Joe Alford at Body Revolutions in Chippenham, plus getting massages at the Treatment Rooms.

“It seems to be working well.”

Bell wasn’t the only Wiltshire runner to impress in Manchester. Also in the women’s race, former international Holly Rush, from Bradford on Avon, continued her busy start to the year with a time of 2:47.32 to finish sixth, two places ahead of Bell.

The hugely experienced Rush wasn’t just racing but was also in the city as coach to Avon Valley Runners’ clubmate Chris Roxburgh.

Roxburgh has prospered under her guidance and also enjoyed a huge PB, carving over eight minutes off his previous best of 2:49.07 with 2:40.40 to finish 42nd.

He said: “I was hoping to get 2hrs 37mins but it is still a big PB and I am happy with that.”

Top Wiltshire runner in the race was Corsham Running Club’s ultra distance trail-running star Damian Hall, making a rare excursion on the roads.

Hall broke 2hrs 40mins for the first time with a PB of 2:38.26, which is the fastest in the South West this year so far.

Hall said: “I have been working hard on improving my speed this year and it seems to be paying off.

“But I think I will stick to the lumpy, odd-road stuff in the future.”